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Sheriff Ben Stillman #7

Once Upon a Dead Man

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While investigating the death of Marshal Charlie Boomhauer, Sheriff Ben Stillman, determined to bring the killer to justice, discovers that the residents of Lone Pine are hiding a dark and deadly secret. Original.

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 28, 2003

688 people are currently reading
35 people want to read

About the author

Peter Brandvold

193 books130 followers
Peter Brandvold has written well over one hundred action westerns under his own name and his pseudonym, Frank Leslie. Born and raised in North Dakota, he has lived all over the West. He currently lives in western Minnesota with his dog. Follow him at Amazon and here peterbrandvold.blogspot.comand here: facebook.com/peter.brandvold.

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5 stars
518 (60%)
4 stars
241 (28%)
3 stars
64 (7%)
2 stars
23 (2%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
1,249 reviews23 followers
May 31, 2019
"TWITCH AND YOUR DEAD"

Sheriff Ben is on his way back home after arresting rustlers. Well at least he was trying to take them in alive, but they decided they wanted to waltz with Sheriff Stillman, so they did, but they dipped the wrong way, so now their last ride is belly down across their horses.
Sheriff Ben Stillman decided he'll stop in the small town of Lone Pine to dispose of the cargo. Besides he could visit Sheriff Charlie Boomhauer whom he hasn't seen in a while. Little does Sheriff Stillman know that he's riding into a hornets nest, a quiet one, which he's going to antagonize unknowingly by being there.
There was something going on in the town what are they hiding? Sheriff Stillman felt it. He asked the cocky New Marshal Nick Corey where's Sheriff
Charlie Boomhauer, and he was told that he was found dead outside town possibly killed by rustlers he was tracking..Sounded strange, but Sheriff Stillman felt bad about the death of the lawman. In fact the townies were acting strange, they wanted Sheriff Stillman out of their town, which he wasn't going to do until he found out what was going on. Lordy, they ambushed Sheriff Stillman and these men beat him up seven against one. One thing you can say is that Sheriff Ben Stillman fought like a bucking mule, they beat him but they left him alive but unconscious with fractured ribs.
Here we go again with greedy greedy, can't leave out the displayed narcissistic attitudes of Crawford, big time rancher and Drake the Banker, who held all the loans in the town..To much welded power over the town. Installed their own lawman..sound familiar??The Sheriff Nick Corey is a walking BULLYING, sociopath which he will expose when he butchers his girlfriend and her sister because she burnt the bacon..my goodness, we read about this in the newspaper, domestic violence. Sheriff Corey, the lunatic was also raping the young girls, the town did nothing. Shame Shame and very sad. This occurred in a lot towns total control of the population.
Another action packed knock 'em up, beat the pooh out of them. Lock them up or bury them that was seemingly the unwritten code West of the Mississippi River. They MURDERED the tribe of twelve Gypsies because Drake, the Banker's daughter fell in love with a young Gypsy man and goodness graces she became pregnant. This did not go over well with her parents especially her father, who with the help of Crawford, the big time rancher's gunnies slaughtered all the Gypsies. These typical attitudes were the norms when they considered you less such as poor farmers, Indians, Blacks, Gypsies and anyone else they wanted out the way. No moral compass existed with these types of personalities.
Sheriff Ben Stillman took on those crazies and cleaned the town of Lone Pine, Montana. He's heading back to his town Clantick and his family, Fay and lil 'Ben.
Oh, I forgot Sheriff Ben almost "betrayed" his marriage with thoughts and actions with Nell, who lived on a little ranch outside of Lone Pines.
But thank goodness he pulled himself back from the "brink" of the "A" word, Boy that was real close!
1,399 reviews13 followers
April 2, 2019
Having a very hard time catching up on the Ben Stillman books, as take my time reading these exceptionally outstanding stories, due their very descriptive and entertaining revelations. This one has a little different twist from the previous ones, but all are very compassionately and descriptive in their interesting dialogue. These western novels reach out and grab the reader's undivided attention immediately!

No problem awarding five stars to this outstanding western masterpiece, as I have been addicted to the Ben Stillman stories from my very first exciting adventure! Mr. Brandvold consistently enhances each new story with compassionate new storylines and entertaining characters, whether good or bad.
The Ben Stillman character is so vividly descriptive and his actions successfully depicts what I perceive to have been outstandingly acceptable western justice. These stories consistently appeal to me with their never ending detailed and analytically describes each and every episode to perfection.
After reading so many of these outstanding novels that I am having a hard time defining each individual story without repeating myself.
I can truthfully assure any of you readers, especially reader's of western folklore adventures, that you will definitely enjoy the experience of following Sheriff Stillman's very different styles of justice. I, most definitely, recommend this book, and the entire series, without any hesitation. To not read them will certainly be your loss!
922 reviews11 followers
May 2, 2019
Cruel, Heart-Breaking Suspense!
As always in his creative and mostly realistic writing of the old west, Brandvold keeps readers glued to the pages, wanting to read faster to find out what happens next. Although realistically horrible, some of his scenes were a bit more than expected.
719 reviews4 followers
May 2, 2019
One Upon a Dead Man

This is a good read that gives you a birds eye view of a man alone against what seems to be an entire town. Action adventure and suspense abound in true western fashion.
345 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2019
Excellent five star!

I was furnished this book free in return for a honest review. Sheriff Ben Stillman is a tough SOB,took on nine bad guys and got them all except the one his friends killed. Bloody western, but the bad guys deserved it, and I enjoyed reading this book.
283 reviews3 followers
April 6, 2019
Once Upon A Dead Man

A good book. The main character had all of the feelings and emotions of a good man,not just a fast gun. This is a good author.
862 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2019
Great Book!

I really enjoyed this tale with the good guy winning as good won over evil once again! It is well written and edited as well!
265 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2019
Awesome Story

Even with all the blood and gore, I really enjoyed this book. Sheriff Stillman was in the super hero class just to stay alive!
15 reviews2 followers
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June 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, it was hard to put down, the author keeps you intriqued the entire story.
Profile Image for Anthony R Woods.
696 reviews3 followers
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July 8, 2021
Great ztory

All of Ben Stillman stories are great and filled with adventures, excitement and a little romance. I can't wait until next one.
71 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2022
A hard man to put down

Another good western, written by Mr Brandvold. A book, I would recommend, to family and friends. I throughly enjoyed reading it.
8 reviews
June 16, 2019
Good read!

After being dry-gulched by 7 men and having the tar beaten out of him, Ben manages to rid this world of all of them...mighty satisfying!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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